The Royal Thai Marine Corps joined up with the US Navy for the 22nd CARAT joint military exercise in Sattahip.
Rear Adm. Sitiporn Maskasem, commander of Frigate Squadron 2, and Rear Adm. John Nowell, commander of the Amphibious Force for the U.S. 7th Fleet, opened the June 16-24 exercise at the Sanyabat Battle Squadron on the Sattahip Naval Base.
The annual exercise includes both shore- and sea-based training focused on maritime security, building relationships and enhancing interoperability among participating forces.
Sitiporn said the Combat Afloat Readiness and Training exercise was scheduled to see the U.S. 3rd Marine Division embark on the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland to hit the beach with their Royal Thai Marines counterparts.
In addition, marines planned to conduct training and share tactics on security operations and jungle warfare.
CARAT also features the inclusion of the expeditionary transfer dock ship USNS Montford Point, supporting landing craft air cushion operations during the amphibious landings.
At sea, both navies participated in an air defense exercise, deck-landing qualifications, divisional tactics, a gunnery exercise and a communications drill using the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea. Each event was planned and executed in order to enhance cooperation and increase operational familiarity between the two navies.
